JIMMY "SCHNOZZOLA" DURANTE - CONTRACT SIGNED 01/28/1957 CO-SIGNED BY: IRVIN FELD - HFSID 178184

JIMMY DURANTE and IRVIN FELD
Jimmy Durante and Irvin Feld sign a contract agreeing that Durante will appear in Washington, D. C. for fourteen days.
Contract signed: "Jimmy Durante" as Artist and "Irvin Feld" (twice) as President of Super Attractions, Inc., 4p, 8½x11, separate sheets. No place, 1957 January 28. Durante agrees to appear in Washington, D.C. for a 14-day engagement. In part: "The Artist agrees to present his certain standard act and a complete show to be selected and paid for by Artist for fourteen (14) consecutive days commencing July 11, 1957, at the CARTER-BARRON AMPITHEATRE, WASHINGTON, D.C. during which period Artist will present, subject to the terms hereof, one (1) show nightly...In full payment for the Artist's services and the rights granted to Manager hereunder, the Manager agrees to pay the Artist and the Artist agrees to accept the sum of FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000.00) plus a sum equal to fifty percent (50%) of the gross admission receipts at said Ampitheatre during this fourteen (14) day engagement in excess of NINETY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($95,000.00) (exclusive of admission taxes)...." JIMMY DURANTE, (1893-1980), known to family, friends and fans as "The Schnozzola", "Schnozzle" or simply "the Schnoz" because of his Cyrano-sized nose, began his career as a piano player on the Lower East Side of New York City. He and his partners, dancers Eddie Jackson and Lou Clayton, had become overnight sensations on vaudeville, and Durante later lent his talents to films, radio and television as well as being a popular performer in nightclubs and on stage. His act included telling jokes, playing the piano and singing in his raspy voice. Two of his most popular songs were "Inka Dinka Doo" and "Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey?", and Durante was also well known for his trademark sign off line, "Goodnight, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are." An active life member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, he often performed pro bono with the proceeds that would have been his pay, going to the Children's Fund. All he asked in the way of pay was that people, "Help Da Kids". IRVIN FELD, along with his brother, Israel, had won the contract to host shows at the Carter Barron Ampitheatre in 1954, three years before signing Durante. The brothers' company, Super Attractions, Inc., brought in such performers as the National Symphony Orchestra and productions of The Mikado and other musicals before changing their line-up to include primarily musical acts. After Israel's death in 1972, his wife, Shirley, took over booking for the Ampitheatre, bringing in soul and rock 'n' roll acts. In 1976, Super Attractions began to incur heavy losses and asked to be released from its contract. In 1967, Irvin Feld had purchased the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Baileyr Circus and founded Feld Entertainment, Inc., which is still the world's largest producer of family entertainment. Lightly creased. Staple holes at upper left and right corners, 2 file holes at upper blank margin. Overall, fine condition.